Repentance - in Words or Behavior?

 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18-19; Matthew 21 

“’What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ ‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.                                                              Then the Father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will sir,’ but he did not go. ‘Which of the two did what his father wanted?’ ‘The first,’ they answered. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom ahead of you.’”

Matthew 21:28-31

When our understanding of Church is focused on a ninety-minute worship service with a message focused on words to which we listen, most of the time, we are vulnerable to the kind of self-deception Jesus exposes in this parable. Repentance is a change of thinking that leads to a change of behavior, not merely remorseful words. Jesus’ story of two sons points to the importance of behavior, not merely words, as an indicator of the heart. The tax collectors and prostitutes who welcomed John’s call to repentance knew they needed to change their behavior. The Pharisees and teachers of the law, confident in their self-righteousness, valued the right words.

Which son are we?

Are we working with our Father in the vineyard today, or are we just talking about it?

“Father God, I choose to obey your Spirit’s guidance today, serving with you in your vineyard under your authority, for your glory.”